If Russian President Vladimir Putin wins the war in Ukraine, Europe could face an influx of 10 million migrants, according to France's foreign minister.
Stéphane Séjourné mentioned the possibility of a significant number of Ukrainian refugees seeking shelter across the continent due to the country's collapse.
France Warns 'Uncontrollable' Surge of Migrants in Europe
During an interview on France Inter radio, the Foreign Minister hinted that Putin's aggression towards the West may extend beyond Ukraine, mentioning that the French Government possesses information indicating Moldova could be at risk.
Séjourné mentioned the potential risk of Ukraine collapsing and the resulting consequences. Discussing the potential departure of 10 million Ukrainians in case of a collapse, Séjourné said, "We're talking about 10 million Ukrainians who could leave Ukraine in the event of a collapse. And we know very well, and have information, that Russia will not stop there."
The Minister expressed his agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion that ground troops may be necessary in Ukraine to combat Russia for Moscow to be defeated. His remarks were made shortly after Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons against the West, claiming that NATO and the US were getting ready to attack Russia.
Support For Ukraine's Fight Against Russia
In response to the threat, Séjourné mentioned that when they chose to send military equipment, the other party brought up the nuclear threat. When tanks were deployed, he immediately brought up the possibility of a nuclear threat.
According to Mail Online, Putin praised Russia's significantly upgraded nuclear arsenal in his speech and issued a caution to the West. The Russian leader also ominously stated that "strategic nuclear forces are fully prepared for guaranteed use," but cautioned that the use of nuclear weapons would result in the "destruction of civilization."
Moreover, France plans to purchase 100 drones for delivery to Ukraine this summer, according to Sébastien Lecornu, the defense minister. Lecornu characterized the unmanned aerial vehicles as "remotely operated munitions", indicating they could potentially conduct attacks on Russian forces.
However, following Macron's strong stance on ensuring Russian defeat, his defense minister rejected the idea of donating French-made Mirage fighter jets. Paris will continue to prioritize supplying Kyiv's air force with precision-guided bombs, according to Lecornu.
Per The Telegraph, he mentioned that France should prioritize "useful" and "effective" military assistance, stating that the Mirage fighters would be too complex.
